Moyo gems
Gemstones, origin and traceability
We believe a precious gemstone should tell a story that goes beyond its beauty.
Moyo Gems
From the mine to our workshop
We chose Moyo Gems because it represents a different way of approaching colored gemstones: not only through their beauty and gemological characteristics, but also by seeking to understand the people, the places, and the journey behind every stone.
Through a supply chain oriented toward greater transparency and traceability, these gems allow us to offer our customers something more: the opportunity to learn more about the origin of the stone chosen for their jewelry.
Moyo Gems
A project born in Tanzania
Moyo Gems was founded in 2019 in Tanzania, in the Tanga region. “Moyo” means “heart” in Swahili, and the project was developed together with local mining communities, with a particular focus on women active in artisanal gem mining.
Over time, the project has also expanded to Kenya, involving new mining communities and creating further opportunities for access to the international gem market.
Moyo Gems
Putting people first
One of the most significant aspects of Moyo Gems is the attention dedicated to the people at the beginning of the supply chain.
The miners who participate in the project receive training in gemology as well as health and safety in mining activities. This allows them to better understand the stones they extract, grasp their characteristics and value, and access the market more knowledgeably.
Particular attention is paid to women, who have played a central role in the development of the project since its inception.
Choosing a gemstone from these supply chains therefore means being able to recognize and value not only its origin, but also the work of the people who brought it to light.
Moyo Gems
Knowing the origin
Following the journey of a colored gemstone from its origin to the finished jewel is often complex.
In the Moyo Gems system, the miners who participate in the project are registered and must meet specific requirements. The traceability of the stones then begins during “Market Days,” when the purchased gems are registered along with information regarding the seller, the stone, its origin, and the transaction.
From that moment, the information accompanies the gem through the subsequent stages of the supply chain, allowing its path to the international market to be better documented.
Moyo Gems
A supply chain built on collaborations
Moyo Gems brings together mining communities, local associations, and specialists involved in the various steps required to take a gemstone from its place of origin to the international market.
This model makes it possible to shorten a supply chain that, in the traditional colored gemstone trade, can involve numerous intermediaries, while at the same time maintaining more information about the provenance and journey of the stones.
For our Atelier, this means being able to select gems not only for their beauty and quality, but also for the possibility of knowing and documenting their origin more thoroughly.
Moyo Gems
Each gem is unique
Aquamarines, sapphires, tourmalines, garnets and other colored gemstones from the communities involved in the project can have very different characteristics from one another.
Like every natural stone, each gem tells an unrepeatable story. Its shades, inclusions, and color make it a unique specimen, which we carefully select, seeking the right balance between beauty, quality, and provenance.
It is precisely this natural diversity that makes colored gemstones so fascinating.
Moyo Gems
A naturally limited availability
Choosing gems from supply chains like these also means accepting their natural variability.
Certain varieties, colors, shapes, or sizes may only be available in limited quantities or may not be available at a given moment.
For us, this is also part of their value: not necessarily starting by looking for a perfectly standardized stone, but sometimes letting ourselves be guided by what nature and that particular supply chain can offer and, why not, also by what our heart suggests to us.
Moyo Gems
Beauty also stems from its origin
A precious gemstone may be chosen for its color, its light, or simply because it moves us. When we can also know its origin, we discover that behind that beauty lies a journey made of hands, places, and expertise.
Knowing this journey means being able to appreciate not only what we see, but also the story that every stone carries with it.
This is why we continue to seek out gems from organizations like Moyo Gems and other supply chains oriented toward greater traceability, transparency, and responsibility.